Has anyone ever told you that you can’t do something? Some have been told they would never walk or talk again. Many have been told that they cannot succeed and cannot become great. Others have been told to just give up. I don’t know why, but people try to put limitations on us. Over the years, people have been wrong about so many things. Here are a few examples:

“Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility—a development which we should waste little time dreaming about.” Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube.

“We don't think the Beatles will do anything in their market. Guitar groups are on their way out.” Recording company expert, 1962.

“I think there is a world market for about five computers.” Thomas J. Watson, 1943, Chairman of the Board of IBM.

Some of us may not have a great singing voice, a strong body, or a sharp mind, but there is still no reason we cannot achieve spiritually greatness. Who is to say you can’t be the next Paul? Why can’t you be the next David? What is stopping you from being the next Barnabas, Moses, Esther, Ruth, Peter, or Abraham? Usually it is not others who are holding us back, but ourselves.

Moses was a whinny man who felt he couldn’t speak well enough for God’s work (Exodus 4). Gideon was a man who was scared and fearful of the future (Judges 6-8). What excuses do we tell ourselves to hide from spiritual greatness? Thankfully, God works with imperfect and flawed people to achieve great things. Our challenge is to put away our excuses, to ignore the critics, and to see just how high and far the Lord will take us.